Watson and the Shark 1775 - 1778

John Singleton Copley’s ‘Watson and the Shark,’ is a dramatic oil painting that captures a moment of intense human struggle against nature. The painting’s composition is dominated by strong diagonals, from the outstretched arm of Watson in the lower left to the figures leaning out from the boat. These lines create a sense of urgency, drawing your eye across the canvas towards the looming shark. The artist uses the technique of tenebrism, with stark contrasts between light and shadow. The pale flesh of Watson and the faces of the men in the boat emerge from a dark, ominous background. This interplay of light and dark not only heightens the drama but also serves to highlight the racial diversity of the figures in the boat, a subtle yet significant detail. Copley's emphasis on this formal technique, challenges conventional notions of heroism by including the Black sailor with a place in the composition. Ultimately, ‘Watson and the Shark’ functions as a powerful statement about human resilience, as well as the complex interplay between perception and the power relations in the late 18th century.